Thank you..................

to all the military men and women, and their families who have given all for our country.

Simplicity 4176

Well, I have finally made something that I like and that I think I made well. It is View D (top left) of Simplicity 4176 with modifications.

I used a Kaufman Kona solid and a 30's cotton Feedsack reproduction fabric from my stash, and I just love the combination! I got the idea to do a contrasting outward facing from Diana at Sew Passionista. At first I was only going to do the neckline facing, but decided it needed the armhole bias to be the same to balance it out. I added the banding at the bottom so the length falls somewhere between the short and tunic views.

I really wanted a nice, simple cotton top to where as it has been warm and humid here already. This worked up really fast, just 2 evenings for me. I wore it yesterday and it was very comfortable.

But..... ah, ha....here it comes....I don't know if I would make it for me again. I think the style is a little too young for me. If I was even 10 years younger....maybe. I don't know, maybe I'll try it again with a softer cotton with more drape, we'll see!

I do like it though and am sure it will get plenty of use this summer.


You Say Tomato...........


Our first little tomato fruit popped out a few days ago and is looking good! This is hybrid red we also have a yellow variety along with banana peppers and anaheim peppers. I can't wait until they are ready to eat! Nothing says summer like a straight off-the-vine tomato!

Last Night's Dinner

I have been remiss in posting The Husband's culinary creations so I leave you with last night's simple dish...............

Lightly battered fish, braised leeks with bacon and green salad in a lemon-rosemary vinaigrette. It was very tasty and the fish was surprisingly crispy.

26 YEARS!!!!!!

Today is our 26th Wedding Anniversary.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

We looked so young! My MIL made my dress. I still have it...............it no longer fits.........so sad.

The Dress That Wasn't

This Thurs., April 30th is The Husband's and my 26th Anniversary. One of our favorite restaurants that burned to the ground over 3 years ago has finally rebuilt and reopened recently. So we are going there to celebrate.

This is a big deal for us since we have had to really cut back on the nice dinners out. I wanted to have a pretty dress to wear so have been working on Simplicity 2896. I had a really great black and pink floral stretch poplin fabric picked out. I checked the sizing for the dress and it looked pretty straightforward as a size 12 would fit. So of course I didn't make a muslin. And of course it doesn't fit well.

Here is the dress, pretty much complete except for hem and sewing down the facings:


It looks great! Just not on me. It's a little snug in the hips (I let it out a 1/2 inch on each side already, no more seam to let out),a little tight across the tush and it kinda bunches at the stomach instead of lying flat. So I went out an bought one of these:



Yes, that's right ladies, the modern day version of our Mother's Girdle!!!! But alas, it didn't help. It was still snug, still tight and still bunched. Maybe the style just isn't for me, but I am really bummed. I love the fabric and the look of the dress, just not on me.

So instead I will wear this dress (for the first time).



It looks soooo much better than the other one I may just make another. At least I will still get to wear these:

I have such a hard time finding cute shoes that fit okay and are reasonable I was thrilled to find these at the local Bealls.

Next up I'm working on practicing buttonholes. I finished a muslin for this blouse NL6598 of the sleeveless collarless view. I love this style of blouse and can see making all of these variations. BUT, I need to sharpen my buttonhole skills. I will start practicing them tonight. If it works out well on the muslin I will make the short-sleeved collar version in a red and black print next.

New Look 6860

Holly's Dress

I finished this dress made from NL 6860 for my grandniece, Holly.



It was very easy and only took 2 days start to finish. I like this pattern because you can make several different dresses from it and no 2 would remotely look alike. I liked that the bodice was lined and on a fancier fabric I would consider lining the skirt.

This was the first time I put in a zipper after the side seams were together so that was a new experience for me. It certain is easier when the piece lies flat but I did and okay job.

Holly lives over 900 miles away in Chicago. I hope it fits her. I had her Mom send me a few measurements and the size she wears in RTW. She is only 6 but wears a 7 RTW. Her parents are very tall, my nephew is about 6'3". I decided bigger was better so went with the largest size in this pattern an 8. I know she'll love the color becuase green is her favorite, just like her Aunt!

So I have finished my garment for this month for the sew along on PR. If my dress fabric shows up, hopefully I will get another one done by the 30th, which is also our anniversary.


Lily One-Foot




Poor Lily had a growth removed from her pad last Weds. We saw the vet today and got good news, it was benign! We were very happy as Rotties are very prone to cancer so we are always looking for odd growths on them.

She has her bandage off today, now if we can just keep her from licking it!

Peepshow

Peeps are the best!

But you have to pop the cellophane to let them age!

So they get just the right chewy consistency!

I don't know which color I love best! I'll just have to eat them all!!!!!! I love Peeps!

One Garment-A-Month Sew Along

I decided to join the One Garment-A-Month Sew Along on PatternReview.com. We're three months into it but....better late than never. It's almost April so it seems like a nice time to start. I'm hoping it will keep me on track for at least one project a month.

Now I just need to decide what to make. I have several choices with the first being Simplicity 2896. Our anniversary is at the end of April and I would like to make a nice dress for the occasion. I was thinking of making the dress in this fabric:

A stretch poplin from DenverFabrics, but I don't have enough. Luckily they still have it and it's on sale (BONUS!). So I've ordered more, but they can be slow so hopefully it will show up in time.

I am also thinking of making my grandniece a summer dress from New Look 6860 in this fabric:

I have plenty of this in my stash and she loves green. So I will probably start this while I'm waiting for the balance of the dress fabric to show up. But I need to get some ric rac trim and a zipper before I can start this one. I should be able to pick that up this week.

Maybe I'll get 2 items done in my first month! Oops I think I'm getting ahead of myself here....it's not even April yet!